naturalpet COOL CHOW


Icy Treats for Hot Summer Days by Sandra Murphy


Veterinarian Jeff Werber, a veterinary medical journalist with a Los Angeles practice. “Proper nutrition is critical— not only to the foods we feed, but to the treats we give.” Twelve years ago, Rick Wood-


ford’s Belgian Malinois/Labrador mix, Jackson, was diagnosed with lymphoma. In order to keep him eat- ing, Woodford shared his own food. Jackson lived an additional four years, in part due to improved nutrition. “Portion control is important,” he says. “What’s right for an 80-pound dog is way too much for a 30-pounder.” Woodford, the author of Feed Your Best Friend Better and Chow, lives near Portland, Oregon. Frosty Paws is a lower lactose


I


n 2015, manufacturers of commer- cial dog and cat foods and treats issued 28 recalls, some for multiple products, due to the potential pres- ence of listeria or salmonella bacteria, mold, dangerous levels of cumu- latively harmful propylene glycol, inadequate thiamine, elevated levels of vitamin D, off odors or labeling problems (Tinyurl.com/Pet- FoodRecallList). In response, homemade treats have grown in popularity to ensure that pets enjoy safe and healthy snacks. “Most summer


fruits work naturally to cool the body,” advises Cathy Alinovi, co-author of Dinner PAWsible: A Cookbook of Nutritious Homemade Meals for Cats and Dogs, in Pine Village, Indiana. “Healthful treats, made from the best ingredients, are a good way to take a break from summer heat.”


She suggests taking a refreshing


look at low-calorie fruits and veggies such as stuffed celery used in creative,


44 Long Island Edition Use the freshest


ingredients, organic and non-GMO (no


genetic modification) where possible; tuna or salmon in a pouch is safer than BPA- canned fish.


tasty ways. After removing strings, fill celery logs with plain yogurt and freeze. To serve, cut into one-bite pieces appropriate for a dog’s size. Another easy favorite is fill- ing an ice cube tray two-thirds full with Greek-style or traditional plain yogurt mixed with diced strawberries or whole blueberries and freeze overnight. For cats, omit the fruit and instead add bits of mercury-free water- packed tuna or salmon as a special treat. Add fresh or dried catnip to catch Kitty’s attention. “Once when fixing


dinner, I dropped a piece of frozen yellow squash and the dogs


dove for it,” says writer Livia J. Wash- burn, in Azle, Texas, of her Chihua- huas. “Nicki waits for things to hit the floor; Nora showed her game face and won the Squash War.”


“Obesity is the number one nu-


tritional disease affecting our pets, so summertime activities that avoid over- heating are vital for overall health,” says


www.NaturalAwakeningsLI.com


version of ice cream for dogs and discriminating cats. Recipes for home- made versions can be found online. The basics are one ripe, mashed banana, 32 ounces of plain or vanilla yogurt and two tablespoons of honey, all mixed in a blender and frozen in small ice cube trays. Variations may substitute goat’s milk yogurt or add a quarter-cup of strawberries, cranberries or blueberries for antioxidants in lieu of the honey. Frozen vegetable broth, primed with added bits of cooked chopped spin- ach, broccoli, carrots or a small cheese cube, is a hit with dogs. Cats like theirs with tidbits of chicken, turkey or a few shreds of cheese.


Using a bone-shaped ice cube tray lets humans know it’s the pet’s treat. “When I was developing frozen treat recipes, my husband came in from the yard one hot afternoon and went straight to the freezer,” says Paris Per- menter about John Bigley, co-authors of The Healthy Hound Cookbook, in Cedar Park, Texas, who live with mixed breeds Irie and Tiki. “I watched him eat two helpings of the dog ice cream and then told him what it was. We often share our food with our dogs. It was nice for them to share their goodies with us!” The bottom line for the best sum- mertime treats is to go healthy, be creative, use fresh ingredients, don’t overindulge and stay cool.


Connect with freelance writer Sandra Murphy at StLouisFreelanceWriter@ mindspring.com.


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